Journey to Jerusalem Day 39

Saturday, March 27 John 12:27-33
27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die.

When Jesus says that he will be lifted up from the earth and draw all people to himself, we hear echoes of Numbers 21 when the people of Israel, because of their sin, are suffering from serpent bites. God then instructs Moses to erect a bronze serpent to which the people only have to look, and they will be healed from their ailment.

Jesus says in John 3:14-15: “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” And then here, in John chapter 12, Jesus reiterates his being lifted up to “draw all people to himself.”

This is an incredibly difficult moment to read and to ponder. What kind of Father is glorified by the death of his son? And what type of son, who created the universe, willingly leaves his heavenly dominion to live a life in poverty and be put to death?

And yet, we know that all of this is for our good, for our healing. If only we look and believe. If any moment renders us to worship, it is certainly this one. The courage, the humility, the surrender.

Sometimes, worship is in words, and sometimes worship is in silence and awe. In your mind’s eye, picture Jesus “lifted up” on the cross. Spend a moment there before your Savior in worship. Words are not needed. Let the gravity of the moment sink in, and the truth of who Jesus is and what he chose to do sink in.

Lord, thank you that you love me unconditionally and that you made a way for me to know and love you.
I am in awe.
Amen.